It seems the legalization of marijuana once again is all over the news. 13 years ago Proposition 215 approved the medical use of marijuana in California. Both the Clinton and Bush administrations made it difficult for them and on a federal level raided and prosecuted medical marijuana suppliers. Times are changing and I understand Barack is leaving the decision up to the states and is leaving them alone. Now cities across the state on there own accord have moratoriums on new dispensaries because there is a common feeling that the expansion is out of control.
Then there is the out right legalization of Marijuana. Since California is in a budget crisis they are looking at all different ways to raise money and I guess marijuana looks like a better prospect than parking tickets. Then you have the non-violent criminals that are crowding our jails due to the marijuana laws. Some cities have made the decision that marijuana is not a high police priority and going after the real crimes in their cities is more important. I have seem this in San Francisco, they don’t have the space or time to pick up every person that is smoking a doobey or drunk on the streets.
As we debate these issues the New York Times looks at some of those whose lives have been impacted by the excessive use of marijuana. I find it interesting that those that have been smoking marijuana for 30+ years are only now looking back and feeling the negative effects. There is proof that marijuana is less addictive than other drugs. My question to these people is if it wasn’t marijuana would it have been another mind altering substance? Would it have been a life threatening drug?
Even though alcohol and opiates (which includes painkillers and heroin) are the two leading primary addictions, the percentage of those seeking treatment for marijuana addiction, compared with 10 years ago, has increased significantly to 16 percent in 2007 from 12 percent in 1997. The percentages of those seeking treatment for cocaine (13 percent of admissions in 2007) and alcohol addiction (22 percent in 2007) declined slightly.
The drug cannot lead to fatal overdose, its hazards pale in comparison with those of alcohol and so often they are abused at the same time. I have heard that the marijuana today can be up to five times more potent than the cannabis of the 1970s, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Is this a marijuana of a different flavor? What is the proper treatment for those that abuse drugs and alcohol? I really don’t think it is jail. (image from the NYT)
FASHION & STYLE
Marijuana Is Gateway Drug for Two Debates
By SARAH KERSHAW and REBECCA CATHCART
Published: July 19, 2009
Marijuana’s increased potency is the opening for a debate on addiction, treatment and legalization.
New Update:
This morning there was an Opinion piece once again in the NYTimes that continues the discussion with different views on legalization, decriminalization and addiction. All very good points to consider.
OPINION
Room for Debate: If Marijuana Is Legal, Will Addiction Rise?
By By The Editors
Published: July 19, 2009
What legal access to the drug might do to usage and abuse levels.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I myself started with alcohol, then marijuana, cocaine and ultimately heroin. Throughout those years I tried just about everything else I have after 20 something years realized that they were all the same I just kept on looking for a better fealing I was a lab rat running tests on myself. This is not the problem the problem is that my exwife has witnessed my recovery and has allowed my reunion with my teenage sons ( I have not seen them in 7 years) the eldest is 16 followed by a 15 year old. They have both tried marijuana, but for my youngest it is becoming a problem. He repeatedly cuts school and has failed several urine tests at home she has tried just about everything from what she’s told me and (for what I beleive to be the reason for my reunion with them) wants me to convince him to stop. I have several ideas, but I remember being his age and I’m afraid to say the wrong thing. Examle: if I tell him about my missfortune using drugs he might glorify it, he seems to do that with most everything she’s threatened him with. She thinks that I will have a quick fix and I don’t, to be truthfull I’m still struggling myself I know there is no set answer but maybe some new thoughts can give me more ideas.
I say that this would be a bad move. Even though it is stated that the drug is not ‘addictive’ is not a ‘gateway drug’ it does assist in altering ones way of thinking. IT IS A DRUG! Hello?! That people are using to alter their mood. Now being the product of a drug addicted parent, and other family members, and friends. I have NEVER EVER used anything, because I noticed that those around me that thought it was ok to put a mind numbing drug in their bodies, became accepting of putting other mind altering things in their bodies. Food is not addictive, but I sure like it a lot, to the point where I have to battle my weight gain…why, cause food taste good. So in argument, Marijuana is not itself addictive, but the good feeling it gives to its user is — usually causing people to come back for more, or to kick that feeling up a notch by trying something stronger. In a word – a habbit can also be called — an addiction whether the body is wracked with pains of need for the drug or not — in the end for a large portion of people that use Marijuana the need for that next hit is still as strong.
I am not for it. I don’t see the need to legalize a mind-altering drug. I also think the stuff reeks and would prefer not to smell it on people at the grocery store or movie theater.